Plan to import clay from Singapore revoked<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An Indonesian company's controversial plan to
\nimport discarded clay from Singapore has fallen through after the
\nSingaporean government refused to allow an exporting firm to
\nconduct the business.<\/p>\n
Riau Deputy Governor Rustam S. Abrus announced the
\ncancellation of the plan on Wednesday, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
Rustam said locally obtained sand could be used by the
\nimporting company, PT Media Kertaraharja, if it insisted on
\ncarrying through with the project to restore the province's
\nPelambung and Karimun bays and Nipah island near Batam.<\/p>\n
\"We have sand and the price is cheap, please make use of it if
\nthe company truly wants to rehabilitate mangrove plants or to
\nreclaim the coral reef,\" Rustam said in the provincial capital
\nPekanbaru.<\/p>\n
He claimed the provincial administration from the beginning
\nopposed the plan due to fears the clay could contain toxic
\nsubstances.<\/p>\n
Controversy surfaced last year when State Minister of
\nEnvironment Panangian Siregar recommended the plan,
\ncharacterizing it as purely a business deal.<\/p>\n
Media Kertaraharja is linked to a foundation under the office
\nof the coordinating minister of political affairs and security.<\/p>\n
Its director claimed last year it would obtain Rp 100 billion
\nin foreign exchange from its Singaporean partner if it imported
\nthe clay, reportedly from the island-state's Mass Rapid Transport
\nproject.<\/p>\n
Environmental activists and the local community and government
\nbalked at the plan.<\/p>\n
Antara also reported the cancellation would affect a similar
\nplan of clay importation from Singapore by PT Asenusa Putera
\nSekawan. The company said it also wanted to reclaim Nipah island
\nnear Batam as the site of a tourist resort.<\/p>\n
No information was available on Asenusa's owner.<\/p>\n
Rustam conceded the provincial administration gave
\nrecommendations to the investor planning to reclaim the areas,
\nadding \"it was just a site permit ... but it does not mean the
\ncompany can use imported waste from Singapore\".<\/p>\n
In a related development, South Sumatra Governor Rosihan
\nArsyad separately said the province was ready to import the clay
\nfrom Singapore.<\/p>\n
Head of South Sumatra's Regional Impact Management Agency
\n(Bapedalda) Buchori Marlan told journalists in Palembang on
\nWednesday a laboratory test was being conducted in Jakarta to
\ndetermine if the material was toxic.<\/p>\n
\"We are waiting for the results,\" he was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n
If subsequently proven nontoxic, the provincial administration
\nwould ask permission of the provincial legislature and Bangka
\nregency legislature to allow the importation.<\/p>\n
The clay would be used to fill excavations left from tin
\nmining by PT Timah in Bangka.<\/p>\n
The news agency also reported that Rosihan said the local
\ngovernment would receive S$1 per cubic meter of clay. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/plan-to-import-clay-from-singapore-revoked-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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